We all poop! It’s a normal part of our day-to-day life, but have you noticed a slightly loose or watery bowel movement? This is termed diarrhoea. Most of the time diarrhoea is mild, but it can also be severe which might require admission to the hospital.
In this blog, we will be learning about diarrhoea types, causes, symptoms and different diarrhoea treatments. So let us first understand what diarrhoea is.
What is Diarrhoea?
Diarrhoea is defined as the frequent passage of watery, loose stools, accompanied by an excessive loss of fluid and electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, etc.
Diarrhoea episodes are often caused by a stomach bug or food poisoning and clear up on their own in a few days. However, there are many other diarrhoea causes too.
There are different tests which can help in diagnosis and identifying the root cause of diarrhoea so let’s learn about it…
How is Diarrhoea Diagnosed?
For an effective diarrhoea treatment, it is important to have a proper diagnosis. Sometimes, tests will be needed to diagnose an underlying condition. These include:
- Blood tests
- Stool tests
- Endoscopy or colonoscopy
- Biopsy (very rarely)
You might be shocked to hear that there are types of diarrhoea as well! Let us dig in and see what those types are….
Types of Diarrhoea
There are three clinical types based on which diarrhoea treatment is suggested:
- Acute diarrhoea
- Persistent diarrhoea
- Chronic diarrhoea
1. Acute Diarrhoea
This is loose watery diarrhoea that lasts one to two days. This doesn’t need treatment except for some simple home remedies and it usually goes away after a few days.
2. Persistent Diarrhoea
This type of diarrhoea generally persists for several weeks i.e around two to four weeks.
3. Chronic Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea that lasts for more than four weeks or comes and goes regularly over a long period of time is called chronic diarrhoea.
These different types of diarrhoea can be experienced by any age group but some are more at risk of experiencing it as mentioned below…
Who can get Diarrhoea?
Anyone can get diarrhoea. It’s very common and usually not a major concern for most people and can happen several times a year for some. However, diarrhoea can be serious in certain groups of people, including:
- Young children
- Elderly
- Those with medical conditions
For each of the above categories, diarrhoea can cause other health problems and might require specific diarrhoea treatments.
If you are someone who suffers from chronic health conditions and would like guidance in the comfort of your home, then check out the Zyla app. We have a team of specialists who are dedicated to improving your health.
Do you think there are common symptoms to look out for in the case of diarrhoea? Let us learn about some of these symptoms below.
What are Diarrhoea Symptoms?
The main diarrhoea symptoms are passing loose, watery stools three or more times a day. If you have diarrhoea you might also have one or more of the following symptoms:
- An urgent need to use the bathroom
- Cramping
- Loss of control of bowel movements
- Nausea
- Pain in the abdomen
In case, people have diarrhoea caused by some infections, they may have one or more of the below symptoms.
- Bloody stools
- Fever and chills
- Light-headedness and dizziness
- Vomiting
Now that you have a better understanding of the diagnosis of diarrhoea, its types and common symptoms, let’s learn about the causes of diarrhoea too.
What are the diarrhoea causes?
There are many different diarrhoea causes. It can be caused by a short-term illness that clears up in a few days, or it may be a symptom of an ongoing problem or chronic condition or can be due to some ongoing medical treatments.
1. Short-term causes of diarrhoea:
Short-term diarrhoea is often due to infections, such as:
- Viral gastroenteritis: It is a condition wherein there is an inflammation in the inner lining of our intestines.
- Waterborne parasite i.e illness caused through water that is infected with parasites, such as cryptosporidium and giardia.
- Bacterias that cause food poisonings, such as clostridium, salmonella, E. coli, and campylobacter bacteria.
Other causes of short-term diarrhoea include:
- Change in diet
- Certain food ingredients, for example, artificial sweeteners like sorbitol and mannitol, and the natural sugar fructose
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Stress
If you are facing diarrhoea for dietary causes, Zyla can help you manage this in an effective way with proper nutrition and physical activity. I recommend you download the Zyla app now!
2. Long-term causes of diarrhoea:
Diarrhoea can also be caused by some long-term conditions, such as:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance
- Malabsorption syndromes: for example, after bowel surgery, the intestine is unable to perform the absorption of nutrients effectively
- People who are immunosuppressed or have weakened immune systems, such as those living with cancer, and HIV/AIDS are more likely to develop ongoing diarrhoea as a result of a bout of gastroenteritis.
3. Treatments that can cause diarrhoea:
Were you aware of the fact that a few medical treatments also have diarrhoea as a side effect? Let us see below, what those treatments are.
- Some medicines — for example, antibiotics.
- Laxatives (a type of medicine used to treat constipation), if too many are taken.
- Radiotherapy for cancer treatment involving the abdomen or pelvis.
- Chemotherapy for cancer treatment.
Before learning about diarrhoea treatment, let’s understand how to prevent it in the first place.
How to Prevent Diarrhoea?
“Prevention is always better than cure” Isn’t it? There are a few ways you can decrease your chances of having diarrhoea. These include:
1. Avoiding infections with good hygiene habits
Washing your hands with soap after using the bathroom, while cooking, handling food, and eating is an important way to prevent diarrhoea.
2. Getting your vaccinations
Rotavirus, one of the causes of diarrhoea, can be prevented with the rotavirus vaccine. This is given to infants in several stages during the first year of life.
3. Storing food properly
By keeping your food stored at the right temperatures, not eating things that have gone bad, cooking food to the recommended temperature, and handling all foods safely, you can prevent diarrhoea.
4. Watching your drink when you travel
This can happen when you drink water or other drinks that haven’t been treated correctly. Watch what you drink. Don’t drink tap water or consume unpasteurized milk, milk products, or juices that can get spoilt easily.
Want to make your life healthy and disease-free? I suggest you download the Zyla app now! We have a team of experts that work around the clock so that you can be healthier and happier.
Now that we are aware of how to prevent diarrhoea, it is equally important to know the right diarrhoea treatment to cure it at the earliest. So let us dig in…
What are the Different Diarrhoea Treatments?
In the case of simple short-term episodes of diarrhoea, which usually clear up by themselves in healthy people, you will probably be able to manage your symptoms through home care. You can follow the below-mentioned tips for a speedy recovery.
- Rest at home
- Stay off work or school until you have not had a loose bowel motion for 24 hours
- Prevent dehydration and drink plenty of water
- Drink clear fluids like soups or buttermilk or oral rehydration solution (ORS) to replace lost fluids. Take small sips if you feel sick
- Avoid fruit juice, alcohol, sugary drinks and caffeine as they can prolong diarrhoea and worsen it
- Eat bland foods, such as rice, khichdi, and daliya, and avoid fatty or refined foods
When diarrhoea lasts for a long period of time (several weeks), your healthcare provider will analyse the diarrhoea treatment you need based on the cause. This could involve a few different treatment options, including:
1. Antibiotics
Most sudden attacks of diarrhoea are caused by bacterias and so antibiotics, can be used to treat bacterial infections but it is important to consult your doctor before taking any medication.
2. Probiotics
Groups of good bacteria known as probiotics are sometimes used to re-establish a healthy digestive tract to help fight diarrhoea.
3. Intravenous fluids
People who are not able to adequately rehydrate, for example, because they are vomiting, may need to be given intravenous fluids via a drip.
4. Oral rehydration solutions
For older people and children, oral rehydration solutions are a better choice than plain water. They are made specifically to replace both fluids and electrolytes.
5. Anti-vomiting drugs
Anti-vomiting drugs called antiemetics that help reduce vomiting may be prescribed by your doctor if you have gastroenteritis and are having problems due to vomiting.
6. Medication for a specific condition
Diarrhoea can be a sign of several other medical conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and so on. Once the cause of the diarrhoea is identified, diarrhoea can usually be controlled by medications.
7. Dietary changes
Diarrhoea due to dietary reasons or due to IBS can be treated with a diet that can be followed long-term. Consulting a dietitian can help you with eating right for your health.
If you have a small baby or a child, managing diarrhoea is an even more difficult task. We often wonder at times the things to keep in mind and help the child recover at the earliest.
It’s important to keep your child hydrated. Your doctor will help you determine the best way to do this, but options often include:
- Breast milk
- Formula
- Electrolyte drinks for older children as these are not generally recommended for babies
The best option to keep your child hydrated might change as the child ages. Always check with your doctor before giving your child a new liquid or treatment of any kind.
Even though we understand diarrhoea treatment and prevention, it is important to beware of a red alert, which is when we need to see the doctor. Let us understand more about what a red alert is.
When to Consult a Doctor?
A single episode of diarrhoea will generally settle down without any treatment. However, seek medical advice if you have any of the following:
- Ongoing or severe diarrhoea
- Blood and/or mucus in your stool (poo)
- Fever as well as diarrhoea
- Unexplained weight loss
- Diarrhoea at night
- Signs of dehydration (feeling tired, decreased urination, thirst, and dry mouth)
With all this information, I am sure you now have a better understanding of diarrhoea and diarrhoea treatment. However, it is important to take proper guidance in order to effectively manage diarrhoea. With the right diet and treatment, you can manage your diarrhoea in no time!
At Zyla, we have a team of specialised doctors and nutritionists that can give you the right guidance and effective treatment. I would recommend you download the Zyla app or visit the website- Zyla.in and start your health journey now!
Stay happy and healthy!
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